What Happens If You Can't Afford a Funeral?

Funerals are expensive — the median cost is around $7,800 for burial and $6,000 for cremation. If money is tight, here are your options:

Low-Cost Alternatives

• Direct cremation — Skip the viewing and funeral service. Many providers offer this for $1,000-$2,500.
• Direct burial — No embalming, no viewing, simple casket. Around $2,000-$4,000.
• Body donation — Donate to medical schools or research. They typically handle all costs and return cremated remains.

Financial Assistance Programs

• County indigent burial — Most counties provide basic cremation or burial for residents who can't afford it. Contact your county social services.
• Medicaid burial assistance — Some states offer $1,000-$2,500 toward funeral costs for Medicaid recipients.
• Veterans benefits — If the deceased served, the VA covers burial in a national cemetery, headstone, and provides a burial allowance ($300-$2,000).
• Social Security death benefit — A one-time $255 payment to a surviving spouse or child.

Funeral Home Options

• Payment plans — Many funeral homes offer 12-24 month financing
• Crowdfunding — GoFundMe campaigns for funeral costs are common and often successful
• Negotiate — Funeral homes are required by law (FTC Funeral Rule) to give you an itemized price list. You can decline services you don't need.